Police looking to reduce youth crime in Kelowna

Kelowna RCMP will launch a youth officer program this summer as part of a national priority of focusing on young people.

Mounties stated there has been concern in the community of increased crime, including violent crimes, by youth in the past several weeks.

To ensure the safety of the public, the RCMP has pledged to launch the program with the aim of decreasing the risk of property crime and increasing the sense of public safety, particularly in the downtown core and in Rutland.

“We have heard from the community that there are concerns surrounding issues of youth violence, crime, and social disorder,” Sgt. Andrew Hunter with the Kelowna RCMP said.

”We take those concerns seriously, and are implementing steps to address these issues.”

The program will have officers engage with youth aged 18 and under in high traffic areas, such as the Queensway Bus Loop, City Park, Stuart Park, the Orchard Park Mall, known party spots, public beaches, and other identified locations of concern.

The engagement will familiarize the dedicated youth officers and the community youth safety officers with young people in the community, build relationships and trust, attempt to deter them from committing criminal activities, and connect them with supports and services if needed.

The youth officers will begin patrolling the identified areas both on foot and on bikes in July.